Fact 1: The Blissful State of Hygge
One of the most interesting facts about Denmark is the concept of 'hygge'. While there is no direct translation for the word in English, 'hygge' essentially means creating a warm, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. It's a cornerstone of Danish culture, regularly practiced to promote relaxation, indulgence, and camaraderie. You can enjoy 'hygge' with some warm drinks, good company, and dim lighting.
Fact 2: Pioneers of Lego
Denmark is the birthplace of the famous building block company, LEGO. The name 'LEGO' comes from the Danish words 'leg godt' which translates to 'play well'. Established in the small town of Billund in 1932, it has now grown into a massive worldwide enterprise loved by children and adults alike, with an amusement park, called LegoLand, in its hometown.
Fact 3: Ecologically Responsible
Denmark is leading the charge in wind energy and sustainability. Almost half of the electricity produced in Denmark comes from wind turbines, making it a world-leader in renewable energy. Denmark aims to be 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2050.
Fact 4: Worlds' Happiest People
Denmark consistently ranks highly in global happiness surveys. It puts a high emphasis on education, health care, and a strong sense of community, which, it seems, leads to very happy people.
Fact 5: Royal History
The Danish monarchy is one of the oldest in the world. Queen Margrethe II, the current monarch, is the first female monarch of Denmark and has been reigning since 1972. She traces her lineage back to the royal family which ruled over 1,000 years ago.
Fact 6: An Island-Nation
Denmark is made up of over 400 islands, only 72 of these islands are populated. The largest is Zealand, which hosts the capital city, Copenhagen.
Fact 7: Danish Pastries aren't Danish
While you might think of Denmark when eating a Danish Pastry, they actually originated in Austria! They were introduced to Denmark by Austrian bakers, and the Danes loved them so much that the pastries became a staple of their cuisine.
Fact 8: Unique Numbering System
The Danish language has a unique numbering system. Numbers 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 are said as 'half-three', 'three-twenty', 'half-four', 'four-twenty', and 'half-five' respectively. This is because they reflect a base-20 counting system.
Fact 9: World's Oldest Operating Amusement Park
The world's oldest operating amusement park is in Denmark! Located just outside of Copenhagen, Dyrehavsbakken (or simply Bakken) has been entertaining the Danes and tourists alike since 1583.
Fact 10: Biking Nation
With more than 12,000km of cycle routes, Denmark is a paradise for bikers. It's said there are more bicycles than inhabitants in Denmark. The culture of biking is so strong in Copenhagen that traffic lights are synchronized to suit bikers during rush hour.
Fact 11: No Mountain High Enough
You won't find towering mountains in Denmark. It has the second lowest average elevation in Europe. The highest point in Denmark is Møllehøj, which is only 171 meters (about 561 feet) above sea level.
Fact 12: Mushroom Cups and Bacon Bits
The Danish way of saying "the cups are tipped" is a popular way to indicate mushrooms. Also, Denmark supplies about 25% of the world's bacon.
Fact 13: High Standard of Living
Despite high taxes, Denmark has a very high standard of living. It ranks high in healthcare, education, income equality, and financial prosperity.
Fact 14: Most Popular Surname
The most popular surname in Denmark is 'Jensen'. Almost 4% of the population carries this surname, with Nielsen and Hansen close behind.
Fact 15: Land of Fairy Tales
Denmark is the homeland of the legendary fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. His stories such as "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", and "The Snow Queen" are celebrated worldwide.
Fact 16: "Mind Your Language"
According to international studies, Denmark is one of the top countries in the world when it comes to English proficiency as a second language.
Fact 17: Famous Danish Dogs
The Danish-Swedish Farm Dog and the Old Danish Pointer are the two dog breeds native to Denmark. Despite their Danish origin, they are not widely known in Denmark but are considered wonderful companions and great working dogs elsewhere.
Fact 18: Tivoli Gardens Inspired Famed Theme Parks
Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens isn't just another amusement park. It played a pivotal role in inspiring Walt Disney in creating Disneyland after his visits in the 1950s.
Fact 19: A Place for the Little Ones
Denmark is home to LEGOLAND, it's also where you'll find Odense - the third-largest Danish city, which happens to be the birthplace of Lego and a city entirely dedicated to children and creativity.
Fact 20: Homage To An Astronomer
Denmark honors one of their famous sons, the astronomer Tycho Brahe, around the country. Copenhagen even has a planetarium named after him! Tycho Brahe contributed massively to modern astronomy and is known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical observations.